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Paul Levinson and The New Outlook



Last Updated: 11/21/2009

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Status: Single
City: New York
State: New York
Country: US
Signup Date: 3/4/2006

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Monday, November 23, 2009 

Category: Music
Been a truly banner week for Twice Upon a Rhyme, my 1972 LP, in both New York City and Los Angeles.

Here's how this tale of two coasts happened:

You may recall I mentioned the tasty lunch and great conversation I had at the City Diner in Manhattan last month with Evan LeVine, appreciator of fine 1960s music and all-around significant popular culture.

Well, after the conversation, Evan's perambulations took him to the Rockit Scientist Record store on St. Mark's Place, also in Manhattan. What I didn't know until a few days ago is that Evan talked up Twice Upon A Rhyme to the store's owner, John Kioussis, who this week sent a message to me on MySpace, asking if he could get a few copies for the store.

I of course said yes, and had the pleasure of talking to John at Rockit Scientist Records yesterday. Turns out he has a long relationship with Twice Upon a Rhyme. He picked up a copy in a record store on Long Island years ago, then traded it away for another album - something which John says he now much regrets.

Music to my ears.

I can't think of a better temporary home for Twice Upon a Rhyme than Rockit Scientist Records - take a look at that picture.

Though, actually, Evan works at a store in Los Angeles, Rockaway Records, which is no small shakes, either. Evan wrote on my Facebook wall about an hour ago that he discovered a copy of Vivid Records' issue of Big Pink's CD reissue of Twice Upon a Rhyme a little less than a year ago, and would be playing it on the store's loud speakers in about an hour, which come to think of it is just about now.

Twice Upon a Rhyme, coast to coast ... feels right, since both the Beachboys and the Lovin' Spoonful were great influences.




Listen to some of Twice Upon a Rhyme....

8:18 AM 
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Thursday, January 01, 2009 

Category: Music
This new Korean CD reissue of my 1972 album Twice Upon a Rhyme just came out - you can read more about it on Ebay (click on the picture)....




And, if you'd like a taste of the music, try the songs on my profile page here on MySpace, or my Infinite Regress post about about Twice Upon a Rhyme.



Reviews of Twice Upon a Rhyme on Rate My Music
getting 4.10 out of 5 stars in these ratings ... with reviews like this, "its a cool LP, and definitely addictive, 'relics of summer psychedelics and ever dwindling splinter, while the world dies down...' think lush green osmosis into a hazy glen campfire as the night flashes on the glimmering trees and warm air. butterflies and summer loves and long walks on dirt roads"

9:09 AM 
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Saturday, July 01, 2006 

Current mood:  happy
Category: Music
Drove up to WZBC Radio studios outside of Boston last night, for a really superb interview by Partick Rands on his "Test Patterns" radio show.

I first got to know Patrick after his review of Rhino's Come to the Sunshine compilation CD a few years ago - the CD has The Other Voices (aka The New Outlook) singing "Hung Up On Love," a song I wrote with Mikie Harris, produced by Ellie Greenwich & Mike Rashkow, and released on Atlantic Records in 1968.

Patrick played "Hung Up On Love" and a dozen other recordings that I wrote, sang, produced (or all three) on our show last night.  As a special coda, I performed my new song, "Lime Streets," for the very first time at the end of the show.  (Patrick was good enough to lend me his daughter's cool little keyboard for my rendition - it was my only instrumentation, so I was practically unplugged.)

A complete list of the songs played on the show follows.  Patrick has a great, nice 'n' easy interview style, and I really had a good time.

Among the secrets revealed for the first time on the show:  how Ed Fox and I wrote "The Lama Will Be Late This Year" (and who, exactly, was 'Hawaiian Herb'?) . . . .the real reason that jazz-man Boris Midney left the Soviet Union  . . . what song got in the way of The Vogues releasing their recording of my song, "Unbelieavable (Inconceivable You)", on Reprise Records? . . . . and how old was Linda Kaplan when she wrote "Skyscraper" with me in the late 1960s? ( well, a lot younger than when she later wrote the famous "Toys 'R Jingle" . . . . "I don't wanna grow up . . . .")

You can listen to the complete show, any time, over here.

And the playlist is as follows:

1. No Olympian Height(s) - recorded by The Other Voices (The New Outlook), Paul Levinson, Stu Nitekman, Ira Margolis (Stu singing lead), song written by Brute Force, produced by Ellie Greenwich & Mike Rashkow, 2nd single released on Atlantic, 1968

2. Hung Up On Love - recorded by The Other Voices (The New Outlook) - Paul Levinson, Stu Nitekman, Ira Margolis (but Mike Rashkow singing lead) - song written by Paul Levinson & Mikie Harris, produced by Ellie Greenwich & Mike Rashkow, B-side of both May My Heart Be Cast Into Stone, and No Olympian Heights, singles released on Atlantic, 1968 (included on Rhino's Come to the Sunshine CD, 2004)

3. Picture Postcard World - recorded by The Definitive Rock Chorale - studio group with Ellie Greenwich, Toni Wine, Ron Dante, etc - song written by Paul Levinson, produced by Ellie Greenwich & Mike Rashkow, released on Philips, 1968

4. Unbelievable (Inconceivable You) - recorded by The Vogues - song written by Paul Levinson, produced by Dick Glasser for Reprise, 1968, but never released

5. Sunshine Mind - recorded by Donna Marie (who sang in the Archies) - song written by Paul Levinson, produced by Jimmy "Wiz" Wisner, released on Columbia, 1968

6. Love Colored Glasses - studio demo recorded by Mikie Harris, written by Paul Levinson & Mikie Harris, 1968

7. Teacups and Tapestry - studio demo (artist unknown), written by Paul Levinson and Boris Midney, 1969

8. Skyscraper - studio demo by Linda Kaplan (later wrote "Toys 'R U" jingle), written by Paul Levinson & Linda Kaplan, 1968

9. Ring Around My Rosie - recorded by Protozoa - song written by David Fox, produced by Paul Levinson, Ed Fox, and Herb Abramson, Buddah Records, 1969

10. Merri- Goes-Round - recorded by Trousers (studio group; Bruce Scott singing lead) - written by Paul Levinson & Ed Fox, produced by Paul Levinson & Ed Fox, released on Wizdom Records, 1969

11. Not Yet Ready to Say Goodbye - recorded by Paul Levinson, with Ed Fox and Peter Rosenthal (Paul singing lead) - written by Paul Levinson & Linda Kaplan, produced by Paul Levinson & Ed Fox, released on Twice Upon A Rhyme LP, HappySad Records, 1972 (musicians on this album also include Don Frankel, Jay Sackett, Alan Fuhr, Boris Midney)

12. The Lama Will Be Late This Year - recorded by Paul Levinson, with Ed Fox and Peter Rosenthal (Ed singing lead) - written by Paul Levinson & Ed Fox, produced by Paul Levinson & Ed Fox, released on Twice Upon A Rhyme LP, HappySad Records, 1972 (musicians on this album also include Don Frankel, Jay Sackett, Alan Fuhr, Boris Midney)

13. Alpha Centauri - recorded by Peter Rosenthal (home demo) - written by Paul Levinson & Peter Rosenthal, 2000

14. Lime Streets - live performance by Paul Levinson, written by Paul Levinson, 2006
And you'll also hear nice medley of New Outlook folk rock under some of the interview...
 
 
 
 
6:15 PM 
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Sunday, March 12, 2006 

Category: Music
Spent a spectacular few hours last night - from 11pm to 2am - at Jimi Hendix's Electric Lady Studios on West 8th Street in Greenwich Village in NYC.  Ray Bardani (one of Elvis' engineers) and John Krondes (singer, producer, arranger) were doing the final mix of a new recording of "Something Blue" (written by Paul Evans and Al Byron, and recorded by Elvis back in 1961).  John, sounding like a million bucks, is singing lead on this.  The Jordanaires - in their 70s now, but sounding even better than they did in their 20s - are doing harmony, and sound so good they gave me goose bumps.  D. J. Fontana, one of Elvis' original drummers, has some great brush strokes.  The track is chock full of original Elvis musicians - guitarists, keyboard, horns, the works.
Background:  I wrote some songs with Jim Krondes, John's father, in the late 1960s.  Jimmy was best known for co-writing "The End" (with Sid Jacobson), a big hit by Earl Grant in the 1950s, sounding like Nat King Cole.  Elvis loved the song, but never recorded it.  Jim had a studio in his basement, and we recorded a few of our songs there, including "Snow Flurries" and "The Winds of Change" (with The New Outlook -  Stu, Ira, and I - singing background).  John was about 9 or 10 years old, then, hanging out in the studio and loving it.
Flashforward to a year or two ago.  John somehow got in touch with the Jordanaires, and got them into a studio.  They did a version of "The End," with John singing lead and the Jordanaires their magic harmony.  It has just been reissued, and John, the Jordanaires, and just about everyone on Elvis' hit-making team are hard at work on a new album.  I was in Electric Lady a few weeks ago, when Ray was mixing John's new version of "Baby, I Love You" (the Ronettes hit, later by Andy Kim, written by Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Phil Spector) (Ellie & Mike Rashkow later produced The New Outlook, with name changed to The Other Voices, for Atlantic Records).  The new recording of  "Baby, Love You" would do Phil Spector proud.
But "Something Blue" is even better, I think.  When  Tina and I walked into the studio after a great dinner in the Village last night, it was like stepping through a time portal.  The Jordanaires sound richer and cooler than ever.
Not only will rock 'n' roll never die - it's some kind of fountain of youth!
I'll keep you posted on developments.  John may be doing a new recording of  "Snow Flurries," and we're looking forward to writing some new songs together.
All best, Paul

 
10:07 PM 
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Sunday, March 05, 2006 

Current mood:  good
Category: Music
all of the following have been converted to MP3s; additional recordings from the 1960s, 70s, and present will be added; the list is in general date order


2006
Lime Streets (Levinson) Paul Levinson, recorded live at WZBC Radio (2006)

2000

I Knew You By Heart (Levinson - Rosenthal) Peter Rosenthal, studio demo

Alpha Centauri (Levinson - Rosenthal) Peter Rosenthal, home demo

 

1972

*Murray the K's Back in Town  (Levinson) Paul Levinson, studio demo

 

1971

Merri-Goes-Round (Levinson - Ed Fox) Trousers, Paul harmony, Wizdom Records

Ring Around My Rosie  (David Fox) Protozoa, Paul harmony, Buddah Records

 

1969

Sunshine Mind  (Levinson) Donna Marie, Columbia Records

Teacups and Tapestry  (Levinson  - Boris Midney) studio demo

Snow Flurries (Levinson - Jimmy Krondes) Good News, Paul harmony, Murbo Records

Sunday Princess (Levinson  - Ed Fox) Joey Ward & Paul Levinson, studio demo

*Unbelievable (Inconceivable You)  (Levinson) The Vogues, Reprise Records (unreleased)

 

1968

Picture Postcard World  (Levinson) Definitive Rock Chorale, Philips Records

Lemons and Limes (Levinson) Fuzzy Bunnies, Decca Records

Love Colored Glasses (Levinson - Harris) Mikie Harris, studio demo

Mr. Kringle (Levinson - Harris) studio demo

Teardrops Make No Sound (Levinson - Jimmy Krondes) studio demo

Waking Up to Love (Levinson) studio demo

Skyscraper (Levinson - Kaplan) Linda Kaplan, studio demo

Cloudy Sunday (Levinson - Peter Rosenthal) Linda Kaplan, studio demo

A Piece of the Rainbow (Levinson - Kaplan) Linda Kaplan, studio demo

 

1963

The Park at Night (Levinson - Gorman) Paul Levinson (lead) & Paul Gorman, studio demo

 

*mp3s of these two recordings now available (as of March 5, 2006) on www.sff.net/people/paullevinson

 

 

Notes:  

 

1. "Merri-Goes-Round" produced by Paul Levinson and Ed Fox

2. "Ring Around My Rosie"  produced by  Paul Levinson, Ed Fox, & Herb Abramson

3.  "Sunshine Mind"  produced by Jimmy  "Wiz" Wisner

4.  "Unbelievable" produced by Dick Glasser

5. "Picture Postcard World" and "Lemons and Limes" produced by Ellie Greenwich & Mike Rashkow

 
10:30 PM 
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Sunday, March 05, 2006 

Current mood:  good
Category: Music

Twice Upon A Rhyme

 

Paul Levinson 
with Ed Fox and Peter Rosenthal

                               

1. Today Is Just Like You
(P. Levinson)                               

2. Looking for Sunsets (in the Early Morning) (P. Levinson & E. Fox)

3. Gentle Blue Cherry Bell (P. Levinson & E. Fox)

4. I'm Seeing You in a Different Light
(P. Levinson & E. Fox)

5. Learn to Learn (P. Levinson & E. Fox)

6. Looks Like a Night (I Won't Catch Much Sleep In) (P. Levinson & E. Fox)

7. Raincheck (P. Levinson & E. Fox)

8. You Are Everywhere (P. Levinson & D. Kaley)

9. Forever Friday (P. Levinson & E. Fox)

10. The Soft of Your Eyes (P. Levinson)

11. Antique Shop (The Coming of Winter)
(P. Levinson & P. Rosenthal)

12. Not Yet Ready to Say Goodbye
(P. Levinson & L. Kaplan)

13. The Lama Will Be Late This Year
(P. Levinson & E. Fox)

 

Originally released in 1972 by Happysad Records

 

PAUL LEVINSON: vocals, keyboard, percussion

ED FOX: vocals, keyboard
PETER ROSENTHAL: guitars

 

Jay Sackett: bass; Cyril Penn: recorders;  Mitch Greenberg, Jesse Stiller: drums;

Donny Frankel: organ; Joe Szalacsi: trumpet; Israel Esquenazi, Sasha Humek: violins;

Boris Midney: saxophone, drums

 

Produced & Arranged by
Paul Levinson & Ed Fox

 

Notes:

a. All of the album now on mp3s

b. "Looking for Sunsets" and "The Lama Will Be Late This Year" mp3s now available (as of March 6, 2006) on the myspace/paullevinsonthenewoutlook page

c. "Not Yet Ready To Say Goodbye" now available (as of March 6, 2006) on www.sff.net/people/paullevinson page

d. some recent reviews of "Twice Upon A Rhyme" also quoted on the above page (I'll eventually get them over here, as well)

6:54 PM 
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Sunday, March 05, 2006 

Current mood:  good
Category: Music

list of New Outlook mp3s from the 1960s (in general date order of recording) as March 5, 2006; an asterisk (*) means the MP3 is available here on the myspace/paullevinsonthenewoutlook page

1968

1. May My Heart Be Cast Into Stone (Randell-Linzer) Other Voices, Atlantic Records, Stu lead

2. No Olympian Height (Brute Force) Other Voices,  Atlantic Records,  Stu lead

3. Hung Up On Love (Levinson- Mikie Harris) Other Voices, Alantic Records, Rashkow lead

4. Evening's Evergreen Morning (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook, unreleased master, Stu lead

 

1967

*5. If Leaves Fall Tomorrow (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook, studio demo, Stu lead

6. Just That Kind (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook, studio demo,  Stu  lead

7. Yesterday's Rain (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook, studio demo, Stu lead

8. Sunny Side of the Street (classic: Fields & McHugh) New Outlook, studio demo, Stu lead

9. The Winds of Change (Levinson-J.Krondes) Good News, Murbo Records, L. Carabalo lead

 

1966

10. Once Upon a Summer (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook, studio demo,  Stu lead

11. Please Don't Cry Little Dove (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook,  studio demo,  Stu lead

*12. Sunshine's Mine (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook,  studio demo,  Paul lead

13. Precious (and Golden) (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook, home demo, Stu lead

14. The Flavor of Spring (Levinson) New Outlook, home demo,  Stu lead

15. Water Proof (Levinson) New Outlook, home demo,  Paul lead

16. Two Minus One (Levinson-Nitekman)  New Outlook, home demo,  Stu lead

17. Time On My Hands (Nitekman)  New Outlook,  home demo,  Stu lead

18. Late Afternoon (Levinson-Nitekman)  New Outlook, home demo, Stu lead

19. Keep Off the Grass (Levinson-Nitekman)  New Outlook, home demo, Stu lead

18. Happy Goodbye Baby (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook, home demo, Stu lead

19. Don't Blame It On Love (Levinson-Nitekman) New Outlook, home demo,  Stu lead

20. The Outcast (Mark Goodman) New Outlook, studio demo, Stu lead

21. Down by the Magical Sea (Mark Goodman) New Outlook, studio demo,  Stu lead

 

Notes:

The Other Voices produced by Ellie Greenwich  & Mike Rashkow

The Other Voices = The  New Outlook

all  The New Outlook  produced by Paul & Stu

The New Outlook sang harmony on "The Winds of Change"

The  New Outlook =  Paul Levinson, Stu Nitekman, Ira Margolis

 

5:53 PM 
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